PRIME Minister Tony Blair was questioned by sixth form students in his constituency yesterday about government policy on tuition fees, foreign teachers and AS-levels.

During an interview with students in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, Mr Blair hinted he might further his studies when he eventually leaves Downing Street.

The Prime Minister told the ten sixth formers his favourite subjects at school were English and history, and that he was weak at science.

He told them: "I was particularly bad at physics. I have always wanted to go back and do a science course to see if I could master it. I just couldn't get to first base on it."

Mr Blair told the sixth formers that there was no problem with foreign teachers working in British schools so long as they could communicate properly.

He also told pupils, at Woodham Technology College, that there was a need to look closely at how AS-levels were structured, following recent complaints that students were overworked.

He said: "We have to make sure our exam structure and qualifications are of a sufficiently high quality so we are able to compete in the world market."

Mr Blair was also asked by a pupil whether university tuition fees were fair. He said five times more students attended university now than in the 1970s, and that some way had to be found to pay for the extra resources.

Mr Blair then went on to open a high-technology factory in Newton Aycliffe. Later he met local National Farmers' Union representatives at his home in Trimdon.